Harry Verhoeven | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/profile/harry-verhoeven
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Northern Sudan at a deadly crossroads | Harry Verhoevenhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jan/18/sudan-northern-south-violence
With the south likely to secede, will northern Sudan co-operate or panic and trigger violence across the country?<p>As southern <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/sudan" title="Guardian: Sudan">Sudan</a> moves <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/17/southern-sudan-independence-referendum" title="Guardian: South Sudan independence referendum 'credible', say EU monitors">towards secession</a>, northern Sudan too finds itself at a crossroads. With all media spotlights on the south's likely independence, it is important to remember that whatever happens in Khartoum remains the key determinant for war and peace in north and south.</p><p>In power since 1989, the government is under pressure from the international community and ordinary Sudanese people to democratise and ditch the autocratic Islamism that has been its hallmark. Omar al-Bashir and Ali Osman Taha, the leaders of the Ingaz ("Salvation") regime, face fierce criticism for presiding over the breakup of the country.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jan/18/sudan-northern-south-violence">Continue reading...</a>SudanMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsAfricaSouth SudanTue, 18 Jan 2011 09:59:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jan/18/sudan-northern-south-violencePhotograph: Trevor Snapp/AFP/Getty ImagesFollowing the 9 January referendum on independence, how will northern Sudan respond to the south's moves towards secession? Photograph: Trevor Snapp/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Trevor Snapp/AFP/Getty ImagesFollowing the 9 January referendum on independence, how will northern Sudan respond to the south's moves towards secession? Photograph: Trevor Snapp/AFP/Getty ImagesHarry Verhoeven2011-01-18T09:59:00ZOil on Sudan's troubled waters | Harry Verhoeven and Luke Pateyhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/nov/23/sudan-oil-north-south-secede
As southern Sudan votes on secession from the north, oil in the south could trigger conflict – but the picture is complex<p>Next January the people of southern Sudan will vote in a referendum to decide <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/15/south-sudan-independence-referendum" title="Guardian: South Sudan takes first step towards independence">whether or not to separate from the north</a>. An independent southern Sudan would leave the Khartoum government without its main bread earner: almost 500,000 barrels of crude oil daily. Since most of Sudan's oil lies in the south, this raises the question of how the north would survive without the billions of dollars of annual revenue that oil brings in.</p><p>The Obama administration fears the government <a href="http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/11/151001.htm" title="">could move militarily</a> to maintain control over the oilfields – possibly reigniting the civil war that ended in 2005. The reality, however, is more complicated. Oil could well lead to war, but two questionable assumptions underpin the idea of a straightforward confrontation: that southern Sudan will be blessed with huge oil wealth, and that the north is nothing without petro-dollars.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/nov/23/sudan-oil-north-south-secede">Continue reading...</a>SudanMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsOilAfricaSouth SudanTue, 23 Nov 2010 17:10:40 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/nov/23/sudan-oil-north-south-secedeHarry Verhoeven and Luke Patey2010-11-23T17:10:40ZHow Congo could genuinely 'move on' | Harry Verhoevenhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/30/congo-west-short-term-stability
The west has long sacrificed justice for short-term stability in Congo. This policy has only left it spinning in a cycle of chaos<p>Today the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is remembering the 50th anniversary of its independence from brutal Belgian rule. But its people have little reason to celebrate, despite the grandiose festivities organised by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Kabila" title="Wikipedia: Joseph Kabila">Kabila</a> regime.</p><p>Eastern Congo remains deeply insecure, with the internal displacement of hundreds of thousands of citizens; the vast majority of Congolese are illiterate and deprived of healthcare; and the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jul/31/congo.mainsection" title="Guardian: High turnout as Congo goes to the polls">historic 2006 elections</a> (the first since 1960) notwithstanding, democratic space is shrinking, not widening.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/30/congo-west-short-term-stability">Continue reading...</a>Democratic Republic of the CongoMiningBelgiumWorld newsHuman rightsUS foreign policyForeign policyGlobal developmentEuropeAfricaWed, 30 Jun 2010 07:00:29 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/30/congo-west-short-term-stabilityPhotograph: Gwenn Dubourthoumieu/AFP/Getty ImagesSupporters of murdered human rights activist Floribert Chebeya walk alongside the hearse carrying his body. Photograph: Gwenn Dubourthoumieu/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Gwenn Dubourthoumieu/AFP/Getty ImagesSupporters of murdered human rights activist Floribert Chebeya walk alongside the hearse carrying his body. Photograph: Gwenn Dubourthoumieu/AFP/Getty ImagesHarry Verhoeven2010-06-30T07:00:29ZSudan's election will change little| Harry Verhoevenhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/apr/12/sudan-election-peace-agreement
Despite a peace agreement between the government and rebels, a 'new' Sudan is still as far away as ever<p>It should have been a milestone, a "historical turning point leading to a new Sudan", as negotiators envisaged it five years ago. It was supposed to mark the completion of a first wave of fundamental political change and kickstart the next round of reforms aimed at creating a more peaceful, pluralistic and inclusive society. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/apr/11/sudan-elections-open-votes" title="Guardian: Sudan votes in first open elections for 24 years">Organising the first general elections in 24 years</a> was a core aim of the <a href="http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/SUDANEXTN/EXTAFRMDTF/0,,contentMDK:21002685~menuPK:2796459~pagePK:64168445~piPK:64168309~theSitePK:2193668,00.html" title="World Bank: Comprehensive Peace Agreement">comprehensive peace agreement (CPA)</a>, signed in 2005, between the government in Khartoum and the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M).</p><p>It was to be the first ever national poll when no wars in Sudan prevented people from participating. For decades, Sudan has swung back and forth between short intervals of corrupt and unstable civilian rule and long periods of domination by military rulers in the midst of large-scale conflict. The CPA, which put an end to 22 years of carnage that claimed the lives of about 2 million people, was intended to fundamentally restructure the way political power functioned in Sudan. Elections were seen as an important instrument in the toolbox of society's would-be peacemakers. Yet today a return to violence seems more likely than the acceptance of peaceful politics by all.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/apr/12/sudan-election-peace-agreement">Continue reading...</a>SudanDarfurMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsAfricaMon, 12 Apr 2010 17:39:15 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/apr/12/sudan-election-peace-agreementPhotograph: Ahmed Jadallah/ReutersSupporters of Sudan's president, Omar al-Bashir, are hoping for peace, but expectations are low. Photograph: Ahmed Jadallah/ReutersPhotograph: Ahmed Jadallah/ReutersSupporters of Sudan's president, Omar al-Bashir, are hoping for peace, but expectations are low. Photograph: Ahmed Jadallah/ReutersHarry Verhoeven2010-04-12T17:39:15Z